Steps for a manual, node-based approach
Steps for a manual, node-based approach
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In the manual, node-based update scenario, we used corresponding iDRACs to apply the firmware DUPs to each AX node. We used RDP and remote PowerShell to connect to Windows Server 2019 on each AX node to copy driver DUPs, perform health checks, and install the DUPs. This process is in stark contrast to using Dell EMC OpenManage Integration, which addresses BIOS, firmware, drivers, and optional systems management application installations altogether using the same procedure and requires only a single reboot.
The following figure shows the manual update status in iDRAC:
Figure 3. Manual update status shown in iDRAC
The following configuration information is specific to this manual update approach:
- Dell EMC Repository Manager (DRM) provides a simple way to download the correct DUPs when you are following the manual, node-based process. The process steps do not include installation of DRM.
- The process steps do not include creation of a Windows Server share for the DRM export. We assume that a Windows share already exists.
- We assume the existence of a certain level of PowerShell proficiency. To lessen some of the manual effort, you could write simple scripts (not included in the operations guide.
The following table lists the process steps for the manual approach and the durations that we observed on the cluster in the lab. These steps are further described in the operations guide.
Table 5. Process steps for manual approach
Step
Duration
Details
Human error quotient
1
Perform a cluster health check.
1 min. Attended
Run PowerShell commands as described in the following section of the operations guide: Preparing for maintenance operations.
High
2
Place AX node #1 into maintenance mode.
1 min. Attended
Run PowerShell commands as described in the following section of the operations guide: Placing an AX node in maintenance mode.
Low
3
Obtain the update catalog from DRM.
3 min. Attended
Add a repository in DRM and export it to Windows share. For details, see the following section of the operations guide: Obtaining the firmware catalog for AX nodes or Ready Nodes using Dell EMC Repository Manager.
High
4
Update the AX node #1 firmware through iDRAC.
3 min. Attended
50 min. Unattended
- Update the firmware through iDRAC. For details, see the following section of the operations guide: Updating the AX node by using iDRAC out of band.
- Check the iDRAC Job Queue to ensure that the firmware update was successful.
None
5
Retrieve a list of driver versions installed on AX nodes.
4 min. Attended
6 min. Unattended (command execution)
- Run a PowerShell command as described in the following section of the operations guide: Updating the out-of-box drivers.
- Manually compare the list of drivers with the drivers in the July 2020 release of the support matrix. Select the correct drivers and copy them to AX nodes.
High
6
Install driver DUPs on AX node #1.
5 min. Attended
10 min. Unattended (server reboot and command execution)
- Install the driver DUPs on AX node #1.
- Verify that the drivers were successfully installed by rerunning the command in the preceding step.
None
7
Exit AX node #1 from maintenance mode.
1 min. Attended
For details, see the following section in the operations guide: Exiting the AX node from maintenance mode.
Low
8
Perform a cluster health check.
1 min. Attended
For details, see step 1.
High
9
Place AX node #2 into maintenance mode.
1 min. Attended
For details, see step 2.
Low
10
Update the AX node #2 firmware through iDRAC.
3 min. Attended
50 min. Unattended
For details, see step 4.
None
11
Install driver DUPs on AX node #2.
5 min. Attended
10 min. Unattended (server reboot and command execution)
For details, see step 6.
None
12
Exit AX node #2 from maintenance mode.
1 min. Attended
For details, see step 7.
Low
For AX nodes 3 and 4, perform steps 8–12 on each server.
Total attended time = 51 minutes
Total unattended time = 4 hours
Note: Task durations and total times have been rounded to the nearest minute or hour, wherever possible, for simplicity.